Daily News 19

Tag: Aaron Judge injury

  • Aaron Judge Could Return to New York Yankees’ Lineup on Sept. 8

    Aaron Judge Could Return to New York Yankees’ Lineup on Sept. 8

    Aaron Judge traveled with the New York Yankees for their West Coast trip this week and is nearing a return to the lineup, manager Aaron Boone said Monday night.

    Speaking before New York opened a series with a 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Boone said the superstar outfielder is “doing well” as he recovers from a stress fracture in his rib. Judge has not appeared in a game since May 31 after playing through pain for more than a month.

    Aaron Judge could return in September

    When asked whether Judge could be in the lineup when the Yankees return home on Sept. 8 to face the Colorado Rockies, Boone expressed optimism.

    “I think it’s possible,” Boone said. “I’m not going to put a date on it. But I think those things are in play now. Again, it’s about getting the durability, and the workload built up on him, which is the biggest thing now.”

    Last week, Judge, 34, was officially placed on the 60-day injured list. He told reporters in New York that he needed to “be smart over the next couple of weeks” while gradually increasing his activity.

    At the time, Judge said he had not undergone another scan to measure the rib’s healing since he was cleared for light physical activity at the beginning of August.

    “He’s here to kind of continue to ramp up baseball activities,” Boone said during Monday’s pregame media availability. “We’re getting closer, but we feel good about where he’s at.”

    Yankees remain in playoff position

    The Yankees began their road trip after winning three of four games against the Boston Red Sox. New York entered Monday’s game with a 78-60 record and held the American League’s No. 1 wild-card position.

    Judge is batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs this season.

  • Aaron Judge’s Potential Return Plan Could Be the Gamble the Yankees Need for Another World Series Run

    Aaron Judge’s Potential Return Plan Could Be the Gamble the Yankees Need for Another World Series Run

    The New York Yankees enter the final month of the regular season with a comfortable position atop the American League wild-card race, putting them on course for October baseball in the Bronx.

    However, manager Aaron Boone’s team has had to navigate a difficult summer, largely because of the prolonged absence of three-time MVP Aaron Judge. Judge has been sidelined since May 31 with a severe stress fracture in his right first rib, leaving a major hole in the Yankees’ lineup. Before the injury, he hit 17 home runs and posted a .907 OPS in his first 59 games of the season.

    Yankees Face Lineup Decision Ahead of Aaron Judge’s Return

    While the supporting cast has worked to keep New York competitive, the team’s hopes of making another World Series run depend heavily on getting its captain back before the postseason begins.

    As the Yankees prepare for Judge’s expected return in September, the club faces a roster dilemma involving trade-deadline acquisition Luis García Jr. García has made an immediate impact in the Bronx, giving Boone a much-needed offensive boost during the most challenging part of the summer.

    If the Yankees protect Judge by using him exclusively as the designated hitter because of concerns about his ribs, they could leave one of their hottest hitters without a regular place in the starting lineup.

    The best way to keep García’s bat in the lineup while restoring Judge to the starting nine would be to return Judge to right field. Although protecting a player recovering from a serious injury remains a priority, putting Judge back in the field also makes strategic sense.

    Judge is not a defensive liability. He has consistently ranked among Major League Baseball’s best defensive right fielders and provides a Gold Glove-caliber presence that can influence how opposing teams approach the bases.

    Completely shielding a superstar from physical contact is also impossible in professional baseball. Judge could absorb an awkward jolt while sliding into a base or suffer a similar impact while tracking a ball in the gap. The Yankees therefore must balance careful injury management with the need to maximize their offensive firepower.

    New York may prefer to use a slightly rusty Judge in right field rather than limit him to designated-hitter duties, which would disrupt the lineup and potentially force García out of the starting nine. That September decision could determine whether the Yankees remain playoff contenders or emerge as World Series champions.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Aaron Judge to Join Yankees for West Coast Trip

    Aaron Judge to Join Yankees for West Coast Trip

    NEW YORK — Yankees captain Aaron Judge is joining the team for its six-game West Coast road trip, another significant step toward his return to the Major League lineup in September.

    Judge will travel with the Yankees for series against the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres. The Southern California trip could allow him to expand his baseball activities, including potentially taking batting practice on the field.

    “I’m sure it will be ramped up and a lot more involved,” manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday’s series finale against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. “Hopefully out there, [Judge will] start to get on velocity and things like that. He’ll be part of the pregame stuff and just get more entrenched into getting ready to come back.”

    When could Aaron Judge return?

    The Yankees have not provided a firm timeline for Judge’s return from a right rib fracture. He is unlikely to be activated during the West Coast trip, but a return during New York’s next homestand remains possible.

    The Yankees will host the Colorado Rockies from Sept. 8-10 before facing the New York Mets from Sept. 11-13.

    “I feel like if I tell them I’m ready to go play, I think we’re ready to go play,” Judge said earlier this week.

    “I’m not a pitcher, I’m a position player. I can get my reps down here in the cage, and I’ve been at every game. I’ve been sitting there in the dugout watching every game, feeling the environment, feeling the energy. I don’t think there’s going to be much of a fight.”

    Judge increases baseball activities

    Judge suffered the rib fracture during a diving defensive attempt on April 26 in Houston. His most recent Major League appearance came on May 31.

    He has not yet faced high-velocity pitching, but his workload has steadily increased. His recovery has progressed from pool work and outdoor running to tee-and-toss drills in mid-August.

    More recently, Judge has taken overhand batting practice indoors, thrown from distances of up to 100 feet and shagged fly balls.

    Judge said he could increase his hitting volume through a combination of Trajekt, machine work and sessions against pitchers who are also rehabbing. He added that regaining his timing should be “like riding a bike.”

    “The toughest thing has been sitting out,” Judge said. “We’re healing up. Now it’s about getting the volume and getting the reps in.”